Maranâ??s resignation a political gimmick in Tamil Nadu

Deepak Kumar Mohanty

New Delhi

Mon, 14 May 2007:  May 14: Dayanidhi Maran, the Union IT and Telecom Minister, has resigned from his post following DMK party chiefâ??s order to leave his post. The entire incident is the result of the Dinakaran incident. The minister had sent his resignation to Prime Minister and party president and state Chief Minister M. Karunadhi last night.

He is also likely to meet PM Manmohan Singh this evening.

The resignation by Maran came after the incident in which a daily â??Dinakaranâ?� published an opinion poll regarding Karunanidhiâ??s successor that later broke out a clash between supporters taking three lives. Incidentally the daily is owned by the union ministerâ??s elder brother who also owns Sun TV network. Later DMK party issued him a show-cause notice on Maran and accused him as antiparty activities. But that seems a fully political battle on the way to present family legacy.

Dayanidhi Maran, son of late Murasoli Maran, is one of the popular ministers who during his tenure directed many MNC project to Tamil Naduâ??s way and hence is well known in the IT and Telecom industry.

It is believed that DMK party leaders suspect that Maranâ??s family may take over the party in the later stage by creating family disturbances among Karunanidhiâ??s two sons and daughter. As Maranâ??s family has a strong hold in the state with their business empire and media support with their Sun TV network, it was obvious for Karunanidhi to sack Maran at the earliest time for the sake of his family and party.

However, addressing a press conference Maran declined to comment any individual and showed his loyalty as a committed party worker. He also mentioned that he has nothing to do with the opinion poll published by the Dinakaran daily that projected Karunanidhiâ??s elder son M.K Azhagiri with only two percent as the Chief Ministerâ??s successor.

â??I have contributed the best to Tamil Nadu and India, I am a born DMK supporter and I am only sad that an accusation has been put on me that I indulged in anti-party activities", he added.

He also said that he is not bother about the ministerial post and never been indulged in anything that goes against the party. Expressing his sadness he told to reporters that the party supremo has been 'misled' by someone who tried to capitalise the opportunity.

Now it is time for the party president to project either of his two sons or daughter at the front foot. The eldest son M.K Azhagiri, younger M.K Stalin and daughter K Kanimozhi are all active in politics but DMK may present Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu as replacement for Maran.